How to Make Korean Friends in Korea: 4 Easy Ways

Since you started studying in Korea, have you ever found yourself wondering:

“I want to make Korean friends, but where can I meet them?”
“I meet Korean students in class, but I’m not sure how to become friends with them.”

Making local friends while studying abroad can mean much more than simply having someone to hang out with. By spending time with Korean friends, you can naturally improve your Korean and experience Korean culture and everyday life up close.

But it can be difficult to know where to meet Korean friends or how to get to know them.

So today, we’ll introduce some places and activities where international students can meet and connect with Korean friends.

1. On Campus

One of the easiest places to meet Korean friends is right on your university campus. By joining student clubs, campus events, or exchange programs for international students, you can meet Korean students and get to know them through shared interests and activities.

For example, Kookmin University runs the “Sungkok Global Family Mentoring” program, where Korean and international students participate in activities together. Students can try on hanbok, learn K-pop dances, make Korean foods such as tteok and gimbap, and visit places like the Han River, palaces, and traditional markets.

The program also offers activities such as campus missions, language exchange sessions, and BBQ parties, giving students plenty of opportunities to talk, spend time together, and get to know one another.

Programs like these allow you to do more than simply have a conversation with someone you have just met. By sharing different experiences, you can gradually become closer while making Korean friends, experiencing Korean culture, and trying new activities along the way.

2. Through Language Exchange

If you want to practice Korean while meeting Korean friends, joining an in-person language exchange can be a great option. Since everyone is there to learn and practice another language, it is much easier to start a conversation even if you are meeting someone for the first time.

For example, KULL (Korean Universities Language Learners) is a Korean-English language exchange community for university students. Regular meetups are held around Korea University and Hongdae, where participants have conversations in both Korean and English and switch seats about every 40 minutes to meet and talk with new people.

Language exchange meetups give you the chance to practice Korean through real conversations while also meeting and connecting with Korean university students.

3. Through Hobbies

Sharing a hobby is another great way to meet Korean friends. Activities such as running crews, sports groups, and one-day classes bring together people with similar interests, giving you an easy way to start conversations.

For example, the international running club Seoul Flyers brings Korean and international runners together for regular runs. The group organizes activities such as weekly runs at Namsan and 5–10 km runs at Ichon Hangang Park, and beginners can join for free.

After Sunday runs, participants can also enjoy coffee and croissants together, giving everyone a chance to socialize and get to know one another beyond just running.

Hobby groups make it easier to start conversations without too much pressure because you already have a shared interest. They are a great way to enjoy something you like while making new friends at the same time.

4. At Different Events

University festivals, local events, and international exchange events are also great places to meet new people. Since these events bring many different people together in one place, they can give you opportunities to connect with people you might not normally meet in your everyday life on campus.

For example, Homes in Korea hosts the “HOMES CREW WELCOME PARTY” every semester. At one welcome party held at a club in Hongdae, international students from different countries gathered to enjoy the party and meet new people.

The event also offered free admission and welcome gifts, making it easy for international students starting a new semester in Korea to join and socialize.

By attending university festivals, local events, or exchange events that interest you, you can start conversations while enjoying the event together and build new connections along the way.

There is no single right way to make Korean friends in Korea. Whether you choose campus activities, language exchanges, hobby groups, or different events, finding something that suits you can make it easier to connect with Korean friends.

It may feel a little awkward at first, but as you spend time talking and doing things together, you may find yourself becoming friends before you know it.

Even now, there are plenty of opportunities to meet Korean friends through your university, language exchange meetups, hobby groups, and events throughout Korea!

Sources

• Kookmin University Office of International Affairs – Sungkok Global Family Mentoring 
• KULL (Korean Universities Language Learners) Official Social Media 
• Seoul Flyers Official Website 
• Homes in Korea – HOMES CREW WELCOME PARTY Materials

Image Sources

• Official websites and social media channels of the respective organizations
• For AI-generated images: AI-generated image